Grant Programs

ABC Grants

The Arts Build Communities (ABC) Grant is funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission and administered by the Jackson Arts Council for the Southwest District which includes Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and McNairy Counties.

The ABC grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises. ABC funds may be used to:

Provide innovative arts experiences that are new or unfamiliar to community residents

Offer arts programs that are designed to help affect positive change in community social issues

Develop arts programming that strengthens social networks through community engagement

The guidelines for FY2018 will be available April 1 online here. Application deadline is June 30, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. All applications must be submitted through the new online grant software. Make sure to register for the new online software by visiting the Tennessee Arts Commission website here.

A representative from the applying organization should be present at an open panel review beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, in the second floor meeting room of The Ned (314 E. Main Street, Jackson, TN 38301) to answer questions that may arise about the application or proposed project. Awards will then be announced in mid-August.

Once your grant activities have concluded, you will be responsible for submitting an acceptable ABC Evaluation. An acceptable ABC Evaluation will show:

progress was made toward achieving project goals

the grant activities were carried out as proposed

the grant and matching funds were spent appropriately and as planned

the public was invited to participate in the project

Tennessee Arts Commission credit and logo requirement was met

Your final grant payment (60%) will be made after your Designated Agency has reviewed and approved your ABC Evaluation.

PLEASE NOTE: Organizations MUST carry out projects as described in the original grant application. However, circumstances beyond your control may arise. If this happens, submit an email to the Designated Agency with a detailed explanation of why you are seeking approval to change the scope of services as outlined in your application or grant contract, what those changes are, and the perceived impact on the project. Be sure to include the grant application or contract number in the email. You will receive an email notification in response to your request.